Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2012		Jan. 26, 2011		Jan. 25, 2012		Jan. 26, 2011
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	$ 2,918,077		$ 2,722,350		$ 8,599,490		$ 7,817,798
Operating income (loss)	422,456		438,398		1,149,754		1,260,912
Ketchup and Sauces [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,261,567		1,139,184		3,840,379		3,345,108
Meals and Snacks [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	1,206,011		1,148,823		3,322,702		3,145,174
Infant/Nutrition [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	280,308		284,614		903,930		846,663
Other Products [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	170,191		149,729		532,479		480,853
North American Consumer Products [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	829,866		839,296		2,398,758		2,404,033
Operating income (loss)	227,251		235,442		619,956		630,486
U.S. Foodservice [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	359,501		353,320		1,036,755		1,044,272
Operating income (loss)	48,264		47,778		114,296		138,393
Europe [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	854,693		831,898		2,536,712		2,343,340
Operating income (loss)	161,697		163,490		443,606		414,282
Asia Pacific [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	632,142		583,972		1,895,733		1,673,517
Operating income (loss)	54,023		43,211		155,257		173,087
Rest of World [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Net external sales	241,875		113,864		731,532		352,636
Operating income (loss)	18,363		8,001		82,778		36,669
Non-Operating [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	(53,362)	[1]	(59,524)	[1]	(154,531)	[1]	(132,005)	[1]
Upfront Productivity Charges [Member]
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated
Operating income (loss)	$ (33,780)	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ (111,608)	[2]	$ 0	[2]

[1] Includes corporate overhead, intercompany eliminations and charges not directly attributable to operating segments.

[2] See Note 3 for further details.